David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1172. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated current and capital cost of increasing base capacity of critical care beds from 255 to 350; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21487/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The cost of a critical care bed has several determining factors. However, a survey undertaken by the HSE of active and recently completed projects suggests that new critical care beds can cost up to, and sometimes above, €1m, depending on a variety of factors.

The HSE has advised that the average annual cost of running a critical care bed is €747k. However, it should be noted that this figure includes costs for both ICU and HDU beds, with the ICU beds the more expensive of the two. It should also be noted that the impacts of COVID-19 and the new recommendations on distance requirements on costs are yet to be determined.

My Department and the HSE are currently engaging in regard to critical care capacity requirements in the public hospital system. However, in order to provide the Deputy with more detail on costs associated with additional critical care beds, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him as soon as possible.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1173. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of returning the throughput of cancer services to pre-Covid-19 levels by medical oncology, radiation oncology and surgery and by capital and current costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21488/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Funding is being sought to address the delivery of cancer services in the context of the Covid pandemic, and in the context of an increasing and an ageing population, through the Winter/Continuity planning and the 2021 Estimates processes.

This funding would support the restoration of cancer treatment services towards pre-Covid levels. The areas for which funding is sought include medical oncology, radiation oncology and surgery. Some minor capital works are included to facilitate physical distancing and Infection Prevention & Control measures.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1174. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of increasing the income limits for medical card assessments for persons 70 years of age and over by increasing the income thresholds to €550 per week for a single person and €1050 for a couple; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21489/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Health (General Practitioner Service and Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Bill 2020 was enacted on 2nd August 2020. This Act provides, amongst other things, for the necessary legislative amendments to the Health Act 1970 (as amended) to increase the weekly gross medical card income limits for those aged 70 and over to €550 per week for a single person (currently €500 per week) and to €1050 per week for a couple (currently €900 per week).

The precise cost of increasing the medical card gross income limits for those aged 70 and over is difficult to estimate as it will be dependent on a number of factors, including the number of additional applications made to the HSE, the timescale within which these are made and the number of applicants who are deemed eligible. The Government is finalising decisions regarding the provision of funding for this measure and the implementation date for the commencement of this provision.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1175. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost of clearing the backlog for all those waiting for funding for new or additional home support under the home support service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21490/20]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.